CONNOISSEUR GOLF IN IRELAND
THE EMER A LD ISLE
Ireland boasts two of the top ten ranked golf courses in the world – Royal County Down and
Royal Portrush, in addition to many golfers spiritual home at Ballybunion. The courses are more
undulating and spectacular than their Scottish counterparts, and often very exposed to the wild
Atlantic winds. There are several different areas to base your trip around.
The south west region encompasses Lahinch, Doonbeg, Tralee, Waterville, Ballybunion. Another
popular trip includes the Dublin courses of Portmarnock and The Island followed by a trip up
north to play the undisputed jewels in the crown at Royal County Down and Royal Portrush.
In Ireland you are never short of character, craic and a smile. The locals welcome you with open
arms and embracing the country’s culture is as much a part of your experience as traversing
through the dunes on the golf course. Visit the world’s oldest whiskey distillery at Bushmills, or
sample a pint of Guinness from the original brewery in Dublin. Walk over the volcanic rock at The
Giants Causeway or enjoy a lifetime of Irish eloquence after kissing the Blarney Stone.
Céad Míle Fáilte – A thousand welcomes…
Northern Ireland
Dublin Area
West Coast
South West
NORTHERN IREL A ND
ROYA L COUNT Y DO W N
Founded In 1889 by a group of influential businessmen and expanded from the original 9 hole
layout to the modern 18 hole layout by Old Tom Morris, The Royal County Down Golf Club is
located in the beautiful surroundings of the Murlough Nature Reserve, stretching along the shores
of Dundrum Bay.
The ‘bearded’ bunkers are world famous and feature overhanging lips of marram, red fescue and
heather. The greens are fast and many are domed, rejecting any shot lacking conviction. This is a
true test of any player’s command of the traditional bump and run, the preferred way to play any
links.
Currently ranked number 6 in Golf Magazine’s top 100 courses, Royal County Down is not only
a fine test of golf but has accompanying scenery that is utterly spellbinding. Notoriously tough,
with penal rough, this is very much a straight-hitters course. With frequent visitors such as Rory
McIlroy, Royal County Down attracts the best players in the world; whether for competition or for
sheer enjoyment. Tiger Woods and Tom Watson have been known to play the course in advance of
the Open Championship, and the course has also been graced by Nicklaus, Palmer and Player. It
is also a championship course in the truest sense of the word having hosted the British Amateur,
the Walker Cup and The Senior British Open.
A fine par 71 links course, it offers a stern challenge from the championship tees. The record is 66
set by Ireland’s first golfing superstar, Jimmy Bruen in 1939. No trip to the North of Ireland would
be complete without experiencing this incredibly beautiful but challenging venue.
VA LLE Y COURSE , ROYA L PORTRUSH
The Valley lies between the East Strand and the Dunluce golf course in Portrush. As its name
suggests, the course is situated between the huge sand hills immediately along the Atlantic shore
and the higher ground on which the Championship course is laid out. That is not to say the holes
of the course are routed over anything like plain, level lying land. Far from it, as the Valley has
more than its fair share of the humps, hollows and undulations to be found on any links worthy of
the name.
Just like the Dunlunce Course, Harry Colt was responsible for this little gem on the North Coast.
A par of 70 played over 6300 yards is a comfortable yardage, but it’s no surprise that the longest
holes play into the prevailing wind – especially the sixth, seventh and eighth on the front nine.
Graeme McDowell learnt his trade over this course, and played off a +3 handicap before moving
to the US to play for the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is still a regular at the course
and is often seen playing a bounce game with his friends and family.
DUNLUCE COURSE , ROYA L PORTRUSH
When the club was formed in May 1888, it was known as The County Club. It became The Royal
County Club in 1892, when H.R.H. The Duke of York was its patron, and ‘The Royal Portrush
Golf Club’ three years later, with H.R.H. The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) as patron.
The links have undergone many alterations in the course of its existence. The nine-hole course of
1888 was extended to eighteen holes the following year, and at that time, eight of these holes were
laid out on the landward side of the Causeway road. Gradually, however, the course was moved
further and further into the sand hills, until the famous architect, Harry Colt, laid out his own
plans for the Dunluce links in 1929. The unfortunate loss of land comprising the first and eighth
holes of this layout led to the creation of the present eight and ninth holes under the guidance of
P.G. Stevenson and Sir Anthony Babington in 1946.
Altogether more than fifty national championships, British and Irish, have been decided here. The
first professional tournament ever held in Ireland was run by the club in 1895. More importantly,
Royal Portrush is the only Irish course to have hosted the Open Championship. The Claret Jug
was lifted here by Max Faulkner in 1951.
Darren Clarke lives locally to Royal Portrush, and can often be seen here practicing at what he
continues to name as his favourite golf course in the world.
PORTSTE WA RT
Founded in 1894 and redesigned by Willie Park jnr in the 1920’s this championship links course
received its greatest makeover with the purchase of land known as “Thirsty Hollow” in 1981. This
enabled the club to build a stunning new seven holes through towering dunes and fabulous and
natural links land. Designed by local school teacher Des Giffin the Strand Course is the jewel in
the Portstewart portfolio.
The front nine holes probably come second only to Royal County Down as the best opening nine
in the country. Portstewart is home to the tallest dunes in all of Irish links golf, and vast changes
in elevation. It has been privileged to host all of Ireland’s national amateur championships over
its history, and also provided the venue for Open Championship qualifying when Max Faulkner
won at Royal Portrush.
DUBLIN A RE A
PORTM A RNOCK GOLF CLUB
On Christmas Eve 1893 a Scottish insurance broker, W.C.Pickeman and his friend George Ross
rowed over from Sutton to the peninsula of Portmarnock to explore the possibility of creating a
golf links. The peninsula was about two miles long and covers 500 acres. It is links land with low
sand dunes, green hollows and long valleys. It was ideal golfing ground and had first been used for
that purpose in 1858 by the Jameson family who lived in St. Marnock’s, a large house on the North
side of the peninsula. The Jamesons owned the land having come from Scotland and founded a
distillery in Dublin in 1780. Their private course was at the Northern end. John Jameson readily
agreed to lease land at the South end for golfing purposes for twenty-five years at a nominal rent.
Portmarnock Golf Club opened in 1894.
Today, Portmarnock has a yardage of almost 7500 yards for its par of 72 and is arguably the
toughest championship golf course in Ireland.
It has hosted all of Ireland’s major championships, an early edition of The World Cup (won by
Snead and Palmer) and the Walker Cup. It has also played host to the Irish Open on nineteen
occasions.
“I know of no greater finish in the world than that of the last five holes at Portmarnock.”
Bernard Darwin
THE ISL A ND
The Island Golf Club was among the first twelve Golf Clubs to be founded in Ireland. There were
two unusual features about its origin for that time - one that it had no military connection as other
clubs had - two that it was initiated as a private proprietary club. The ten founder members
became the owners of the Club and only allowed members as annual ticket holders. Most of them
were already members of Royal Dublin Golf Club which was founded some years earlier in 1885
but a rule in that club which did not permit play on Sundays was not to their liking.
That is why - “In September 1887 four men rowed across the channel which separates the North
Dublin village of Malahide from the spur of land to the North known locally as the Island. Their
mission was to survey the wilderness and assess its suitably as a golf links.
Since then it has progressed into one of Ireland’s top links courses, highlighted by the fact that
the R&A continue to use The Island as their Irish qualifying course for The Open Championship.
Darren Clarke holds the course record here with a 63 which he set in the Irish PGA Championship
in 1999.
ROYA L DUBLIN
Dating back to 1885, The Royal Dublin Golf Club is the second oldest in Ireland. The original
course was situated in Phoenix Park to the west of the city, but in 1889 The Club moved to its
present home on Bull Island, (the name is derived from the locality, Clontarf, which in Gaelic is
Cluain Tairbh meaning the Bull’s Meadow).
During the First World War, the course was taken over by the military and used as a rifle and
artillery range. With £10,000 compensation, the clubhouse was re-constructed and the links redesigned by Harry Colt, the world famous golf course architect from Sunningdale, in 1920.
In the history of the Club, it is likely that the period 2000 - 2007 will be seen as a watershed,
a time when the Club’s members took the steps necessary to restore the golf links to greatness
and to modernise the clubhouse to complement the course. Martin Hawtree, the specialist links
architect, was engaged to bring the links up the challenge of the modern game.
This project was completed in 2006 and has resulted in a 7,200 yard par 72 golf links of
outstanding quality. Hawtree made several significant changes. First of all, he raised and
introduced significant contouring to all of the greens. Accompanying this raising of greens is a
series of run-offs from which golfers of all levels must demonstrate imagination, touch and ability
to achieve the coveted ‘up and down’. His other significant change was to completely re-design
the 6th, 7th and 8th holes. The course has been lengthened by over 400 yards in total and it is
now in excess of 7,200 yards.
PORTM A RNOCK LINKS
The Championship Portmarnock Links course is a relatively modern layout designed by Bernhard
Langer. It has played host to GUI, PGA and ILGU events and makes full use of the dunes and
natural terrain to provide a layout that will please the most ardent of links purists. The elevated
tees and greens, blind approaches and doglegs – not to mention typical links sea breezes, will
keep you thinking through every round. Gently undulating luxuriously sprung fairways leading
to large fast greens must be negotiated through 98 strategically placed bunkers, whilst hillocks,
wild grasses and gorse await wayward shots.
The Clubhouse here was originally home to the Jamesons, the Scottish family who started a major
whiskey business in Ireland. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a single malt on completion of your
round at this picturesque links.
W EST COAST
ENNISCRONE
Enniscrone Golf Club is located on the scenic West Coast of Ireland in County Sligo. Known for
having some of the largest dunes in Ireland, the club is situated on a promontory thats just into
Killala Bay at the mouth of the River Moy Estuary.
Since the club’s founding in 1918, its fathers dreamed of expanding their nine-hole course onto
Ireland’s most spectacular links land. The dream was realized in 1974, and today Enniscrone Golf
Club offers 27 holes of links golf.
The Dunes is a 7,033 yard, par 73, championship links course, often a venue for National and
Golfing Union of Ireland’s top amateur events. The Dunes evolved from Eddie Hackett’s original
18-hole design. The traditional links layout was reconfigured to include six new holes in the
seaside dunes. Renowned architect Donald Steel designed the six new holes, and The Dunes was
further refined to include four men’s tee boxes to suit golfers at all handicap levels.
In true links fashion, the course layout is ‘nine out’ and ‘nine back’ to the clubhouse. Each
golf hole follows the natural contours of the land. It challenges golfers of all abilities, their
imaginations, demanding the use of every club in the bag. At Enniscrone, the wind, true links lies
and firm elevated greens reward those who can hold a line, hit fairways and execute ‘bump and
run’ shots.
ROSSES POINT
The course was designed by the legendary Harry Colt and has hosted most of Ireland’s major
championships in its long and venerable history. Three large beaches beneath the cliffs keep the
Atlantic Ocean at bay as Benbulben Mountain competes with the ocean for scenic splendour on
the land side. Many believe that Rosses Point offers the finest 18 holes on the west coast.
Among the most beautiful holes on the front nine is the short par four 2nd hole. Measuring just
over 300 yards, the hole plays severely uphill and your approach can be very difficult to judge,
while the panoramic view from the green is as vast as it is sensational.
The homeward journey will not disappoint and the 10th and 11th holes, which offer excellent
views of the great Benbulben Mountain, are two excellent par fours. The par four 14th, measuring
some 440 yards from the championship stakes, is Tom Watson’s favourite and is an extremely
testing hole, which when the wind is blowing is almost a par five.
Rosses Point plays host to The West of Ireland Championship every year, which is one of the
country’s big four amateur tournaments. Past winners include Padraig Harrington and a very
precocious 15 year old Rory McIlroy.
C A RNE
Carne Golf Links was the last links course to be designed by the renowned Eddie Hackett,
and many believe it to be his greatest work. The building of Carne Golf Links has caused little
disturbance to this wild and ancient landscape. Tees and greens occurred naturally and very little
earth moving was involved in the course construction. There are some breathtaking views over the
Atlantic and the legendary islands of Inis Glóire and Inis Géidhe.
The first nine was opened in 1992. Play began on the second nine in 1993 and the clubhouse was
completed in 1995. Carne Golf Links has gone on to become one of the premium links golf courses
in Ireland and is a true gem in North Mayo.
This par 5 finishing hole has breathtaking views of Blacksod Bay and the Atlantic from the tee.
The hollow on the right of the tee is an ancient burial ground, however the valley in front of the
green is often the burial place for a promising card.
SOUTH W EST
L A HINCH
In 1894 Old Tom Morris was commissioned to make full use of the natural terrain, especially the
giant sand dunes at Lahinch. Old Tom believed that Lahinch was the finest natural course that
he had seen. Two of Morris’s creations were the famous Klondyke (4th) & Dell (5th) holes, these
still remain today. They continue to be the most memorable talking points for first time visitors to
Lahinch and are seen locally as fitting tributes to the great Scotsman.
In 1927 the great golf architect Dr. Alister MacKenzie was invited to submit a design for a new
layout. The re-design work took one year to complete and featured undulating triple tiered greens.
MacKenzie was pleased with his work and said: “Lahinch will make the finest and most popular
course that I, or I believe anyone else, has ever constructed”. After Lahinch, MacKenzie went on
to design among others; Augusta National, Cypress Point and Royal Melbourne.
In 1999 the famous British golf architect Martin Hawtree, who has re-designed several British
Open links for the R&A, brilliantly modernised Lahinch creating an outstanding challenge –
even in the modern era. He wisely left the magical “Klondyke” and “Dell” holes alone. The
improvements include the re-routing of holes towards the Atlantic Ocean and the amplification of
trouble around the greens where bunkers, swales and mounding now make approach shots from
any distance a challenge. The par 4 holes at Lahinch in particular are now generally regarded as
the best in Ireland offering a wonderful challenge even to the strongest player.
The finished Martin Hawtree “restored MacKenzie course” at Lahinch has received world-wide
acclaim and is now consistently ranked among the world’s greatest links courses. Lahinch recently
ranked No. 42 in the world.
DOONBEG
Considered originally as an ideal setting for links golf from as early as 1892 by the Scottish Black
Watch Regiment, more accessible areas were favoured over Doonbeg on account of its remote
location leaving the site lying fallow for another two centuries.
Today, Doonbeg is one of the most dramatic and exclusive golf courses in the world – a hidden
retreat set amongst rolling sand dunes on one of the most breathtaking coastal sites in Ireland.
Built in harmony with its surroundings, the development is extremely environmentally sensitive
taking great measures to preserve particular areas of sand dunes and local flora and fauna. Chosen
for his “least disturbance philosophy,” The Doonbeg golf site on the grounds of this 5 star hotel
in Ireland was designed by two-time British Open Champion Greg Norman. Spanning 1.5 miles
of crescent shaped beach and century-old sand dunes, the course offers views across the Atlantic
from the green, the fairway, or tee of 16 of the 18 holes.
“When we stepped out on that site we realised that it might be the only time in our lives that we
could be involved in something as rare as that. It was a magnificent piece of links land and it was
remarkable for such a site to be available anywhere in the world.” -Buddy Darby.
OLD COURSE , B A LLY BUNION
Ballybunion was originally founded in 1893 as a twelve hole course designed by Jo McKenna.
Over the next fifteen years the club struggled financially and the course wasn’t redesigned until
1906 when it was turned into a nine hole layout by Lionel Hewson. Ultimately, it was extended to
the full eighteen holes in 1926. Tom Simpson was then called in to make changes before the Irish
Championship in 1937, and that course is very similar to the one we see today.
Considered one of the finest links courses in the world, Ballybunion’s reputation grew over time.
Unfortunately, its remote locale on the Irish coast has prevented the course from being selected
for many top championship events. Still, a number of the world’s best players have found their way
to the famed course. One, in particular, has had a lasting impact.
Tom Watson first visited Ballybunion in 1981 and has returned often. In 1995, he remodeled
Ballybunion into the course that exists today and in 2000 became Captain of the Golf Club.
“Having played the Old Course many times since my first visit in 1981, I am now of the opinion it
is one of the best and most beautiful tests of links golf anywhere in the world.”
C A SHEN COURSE , B A LLY BUNION
Robert Trent Jones was brought in to design a course to complement the adjacent Old Course in
the 1970’s. He said, “When I first saw the piece of land chosen for the new course at Ballybunion,
I was thrilled beyond words. I said that it was the finest piece of links land that I had ever seen,
and perhaps the finest piece of links land in the world. With the ocean on one side and the river
on the other, its tumbling, undulating, free-flowing rhythm of line is beauty beyond description.”
The resulting course is one of RTJ’s greatest works. He didn’t move an excessive amount of land
and went with the natural flow of the dunes – which are even higher than those on the Old Course.
It’s a course that requires thought above length. Although it measures 300 yards less than its
sister, many of the tee shots don’t suit the driver. The idea is to precisely navigate your way around
this links like a game of chess. Risk and reward shots are only there to tempt the first time visitor.
As any visitor to Ballybunion will know, your education here is not complete until you tackle and
enjoy both golf courses.
TR A LEE
Designed and Built by Arnold Palmer, Tralee Golf Course opened in October 1984, replacing the
original nine-hole course, dating circa 1896. Arnold Palmer’s first European golf course design,
the stunning setting of coastal South-West Ireland is a true paradise for those willing to challenge
what is widely acclaimed as one of the finest links courses in the world. So taken with the par 72
course he created, Palmer is noted to have stated “I may have designed the first nine, but surely
God designed the back nine”. It comes as no surprise to learn that, due to the majestic beauty of
this setting, Palmer choose it to be his first and, arguably, his finest golf course in Europe.
In addition to boasting a clear view of the Atlantic Ocean from every hole, Tralee has earned a
reputation for having a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for members and visitors alike. A trip to
South West Ireland would not be complete without playing this most precious and unpretentious
of golfing jewels.
“Tralee is truly one of the ‘can’t miss’ golf experiences in the world. My only concern is that golfers
don’t notice the exceptional golf course and its superb conditioning because of the breathtaking
scenery. Tralee requires two rounds, one for the scenery and one for the golf course.” Charlie
Rymer, ESPN.
WATERV ILLE
Located in the picturesque Ring of Kerry, this course is found on a remote peninsula, surrounded
only by beautiful Irish beaches and the Atalantic Ocean. Golf at Waterville is a mystical
experience-the beauty of the classic links land, surrounded by the sea, yet forever challenged and
shaped by the elements.
The earliest structured golf at Waterville has been traced to 1889, when the Waterville Athletic
Club introduced it to their syllabus, and Waterville became one of the first clubs to be affiliated
with the Golf Union of Ireland, however it was not until the late 1960s when Irish-born American
John A. Mulcahy had a vision to build the most testing golf links in the world that the modernday layout was born. Mulcahy recruited Eddie Hackett, Ireland’s foremost links architect and his
close friend Claude Harmon, a past masters champion to help achieve his vision. The terrain was
ideal, and after exhaustive planning and work, the course and its new clubhouse opened in 1973.
Waterville has played host to numerous professional tournaments, and many of the world’s greatest
champions have experienced the links. Prior to the 1999 Open, Stuart Appleby, David Duval and
Lee Jansen all used the course for practice rounds, and all became members at Waterville. Later
that year at a ceremony during the now famous Ryder Cup in Brookline Massachusetts, United
States team member Payne Stewart accepted the Captaincy of Waterville – the last golf honour
he would receive before his tragic death. Today a life sized bronze statue pays tribute to his
Captaincy and his special relationship with Waterville.
Over 100 years old, Waterville is rated among the top 5 courses in Ireland, and the top 20 links
courses in the world. Famous for its long demanding par fours and true putting surface, this course
will not disappoint.
OLD HE A D
Built on a 220-acre diamond of land jutting out over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean, The
Old Head Golf Links is the most dramatic golfing terrain on the planet. With such a unique and
spectacular setting for this par 72 links course, design and construction of the course could be
led only by a similarly unique team; Ron Kirby-former designer at Jack Nicklaus’ Golf Design
Services, Paddy Merrigan-Australian course architect and agronomist, Liam Higgins - one of
Ireland’s best known golf professionals currently on the Seniors Tour, the late Eddie Hackett
- former Irish golf professional and golf course designer, the late Dr. Joe Carr - Ireland’s most
successful international amateur golfer and Haulie O’Shea, a building contractor.
Ireland’s wild and rugged landscape, green pastures and jagged cliffs have remained a source of
amazement to visitors from all over the world. At Old Head, man’s ingenuity has created a modern
international amenity in harmony with one of Ireland’s geographical wonders. The course has been
sensitively designed and managed in a way which works with nature rather than against it. The
course provides a true test against the hazards that nature provided.
Old Head, par 72, comprises five Par 5s, five Par 3s and eight Par 4s – stretching to over 7,200
yards from the tips, with a minimum of six tees per hole. Nine holes play along the cliff tops, and
all eighteen holes provide stunning ocean views. With the ever-changing sea breezes, the course
provides a stern test to the touring pro and the high handicapper alike. Besides being the most
beautiful course in Ireland, it is also one of the most challenging - wayward drives will fall several
hundred feet to the ultimate watery grave.
A DA RE M A NOR
Adare Manor is a 19th-century manor house located on the banks of the River Maigue in the
village of Adare, County Limerick, Ireland, the former seat of the Earl of Dunraven and MountEarl. The Adare Golf Club, an 18-hole championship course designed by the legendary Robert
Trent Jones Senior was added to the resort in 1995, and has gained international acclaim as one of
his finest creations. From his first impression of Adare Manor as having all the flavour of Augusta,
he has created an Irish masterpiece to match the challenge of champions.
The exquisite parkland of the Manor has been preserved with the challenging course set amid
magnificent mature trees and incorporating many aquatic features including a 14-acre lake
anchoring the front nine and the River Maigue, which meanders through the entire golf course,
providing an additional challenge. A par 72 championship course set on an 840-acre estate, the
course measures 7,453 yards and occupies 230 acres of lush Irish countryside. Having designed
45 of the top 100 golf courses in the world, Robert Trent Jones Sr. foresees the 18th hole to be
possibly the best par 5 in the world, with the Maigue River contributing to a dramatic finish.
The course at Adare Manor is held in high regard, and was voted the number 1 parkland course
in Ireland by Golf Digest Ireland Magazine. The venue for the Irish Open in both 2007 and 2008,
the course record of 64 was shot by Lee Westwood during the Irish Open in 2008. This estate
exemplifies opulence and class beyond five star level, and visitors here are greeted with a true
Irish welcome. The course at Adare Manor will be an exciting challenge for all.
CONTAC T
13 The Links | St Andrews | Fife | Scotland | KY16 9JB
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